reintegrating: independence avenue urban vision study | part 2

generative ideas127

regional concept115

comprehensive plan135

Comprehensive vision plan

NORTH SPACE

NORTH FACADES

SOUTH FACADES

SOUTH SPACE

NORTH SOUTH FACADE OVERLAY

NORTH SOUTH SPACE OVERLAY

113

In studying Independence Avenue proper, it became apparent that its potential

ordering within and relation to the city as whole is affected by conditions that

exist beyond its immediate bounds - parks and infrastructure. These conditions

are grounded in the idiosyncrasies of the geography and were appropriated over

time for functional and aesthetic purposes. Today, given shifting perspective of

sustainable urban infrastructure needs, these conditions create an opportunity

for reordering the larger context site into a more meaningful and functional whole.

Kansas Citys morphology of urban form is inherited from rail infrastructure and

park systems which comprise major boundaries. Topographical origins are the

common link between these two forces. Rails are constructed at the lowest and

most level paths along waterways. Parks are allocated based on grade, with land

of too severe a slope set aside as green space an urban land utilization strategy

proposed by George Kessler in 1893. From a conventional perspective, rails and

parks are fundamentally opposing forces; rails and resulting industrial growth

appropriate topography without regard for form or aesthetic, parks appropriate

land purposefully for aesthetic and form. In the case of Kansas City, decreasing

demands for industrial production and vacating of the industrial infrastructure is

dissolving the urban fabric, making ambiguous the edges of the city. Oppositely,

the Kessler system preserves the city boundaries as major park space. From the

contemporary urban design perspective, the topographical connection between

these elements means opportunity for sustainable infrastructure.

A loop is formed around the Northeast by Kessler Park to the north, the Blue River

to the east, the Kansas City Terminal Railway and surrounding industrial swath to

regional concept

115

116

the south, and the right of ways flanking I-70 to the west. This loop currently

acts only to isolate the community from the rest of the city; a noose of industrial

landscape and polluted park space. Restoring industrial landscape to natural

and merging park space and infrastructure could bind the region as a whole into

a hybrid function ecological infrastructure loop. In reimagining the Northeast,

the green loop is an asset to community development in providing public park

space, vegetated buffer between residences and infrastructure, and large-scale

integrated natural water management.

Regional and local transit are equally synchronous with the topography and

advantancing of community development as the green loop. Transportation

infrastructure can be developed with concern for form and aesthetic, integrated

into ecological infrastructure. Drawing on KC SmartMoves proposals for commuter

transit to surrounding suburbs and streetcar routes connecting neighborhoods,

Independence Avenue streetcar and commuter light rail along the Rock Island

corridor are foundational to the Avenues commercial development.

Geographical form of the green loop also informs the understanding of

Independence Avenue as an urban element. At either end, the Avenue intersects

with the green loop, marking entry and exit to the Northeast. These gateways

are the east and west anchors of the Avenue, giving it definition within the

context of the city. Between these gateways, the Avenue itself would become

a corridor of intensified pedestrian activity, mixed mode transportation and

increased commerce. From this corridor, activity extends north and south along

boulevards and reaches into neighborhoods by linking vacant parcels into a

network of productive landscape. Independence Avenue is reintegrated regionally

to topography, municipally to the morphology of Kansas City, and locally to the

fabric of the neighborhoods of the Northeast.

KCDC 2012 Transit Map11.12.2012Independence Avenue Conceptual MappingKCDC 2012 - 2013

INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

PROPOSED SMART MOVES 2010 STREETCAR

BRT

COMMUTER RAIL

BODIES OF WATER

TRANSIT STOPS

TRUMAN ROAD

STATE AVENUE

INTERSTATE 70

SHAWNEE MISSION PARKWAY

3rd & GRAND

CROWN CENTER

PLAZA

KAUFFMAN CENTER

LINWOOD BOULEVARD

PROS

PECT

AVE

NUEE

TROO

ST A

VENU

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MAI

N ST

REET

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ATE

LINE

ROA

D INTERSTATE 71

ROCK ISLAND LINE

INTERSTATE 29 (TO MCI AIRPORT)

INTE

RSTA

TE 3

5

INTERSTA

TE 35

NORT

H OA

K TR

AFFI

CWAY

TransiT Diagram, BaseD On smarTmOves prOpOsals

regional concept

Existing SmartMoves transit studies and proposals lay the foundation for the future of Independence Av-enue as envisioned comprehensively at a regional scale. Streetcar service is expanded from Main Street to a municipal network, a central corridor of that service is along Independence Avenue from Downtown to Ewing Avenue, just before the Blue River Valley. Commuter rail service connects workforce and con-sumers in the suburbs to jobs and businesses in the urban core.

IndustrIal surroundIng raIlway

Existing Park sPacE

While great emphasis is placed on the value of parks to a healthy community, the negative impacts of industrial areas in contrast are relatively overlooked. Above is a comparison of park space in the Northeast to industrial landscape around the Kansas City Terminal Railway and the Blue River. It appears the land dedicated to industry is much greater than that dedicated to healthy communities. This is reinforced by the image to the right, showing all impervious surfaces in comparison to industrial landscape and existing park space. These observations are the first indicators of a problem needs resolution in our regional urban vision for Independence Avenue and the Northeast.

EXISTING GREEN

AMTRAK RAIL LINE

118 Urban Vision

Parking Lots, resuLtant industriaL areas

Parcels Without structures On Watershed BOundaries

In Watershed BasIns Along RAil Right of WAy

120 Urban Vision

Understanding from the previous mapping the dominance of impervious surface and the magnitude of the problem, it became necessary to map the unbuilt parcels to understand the magnitude of opportunity for green infrastructure intervention to offset the amount of industrial or otherwise unnatural landscape. These parcels were compared then to minor watershed boundaries to identify potential for use in retention, filtration, or even agriculture. Not forgetting the major source of the existing conditions, these vacant parcels were then compared to the Kansas City Terminal Railway, and all roads traversing the rail lines. Parcels along the railway and the traversing roads become the focus for this proposal of a regional scale network of a parcel park network. The parcels identified in green above would see regular street activity, and could be reasonably safer as a result, while those along the rail line could begin to offset the cancerous growth of industrial land outward.

Major roads Traversing The rail line

regional concept

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8th St,

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Pasao Boulevard

Kessler Park

Van Brunt & Hardesty

From the previous two studies, it becomes clear the potential for a green loop around the Northeast. This series of diagrams sees the spark of an idea into full concep-tual diagram. Not only are the principles of the green loop illus-trated as part of an urban vision concept, but its influence on the understanding of Independence Avenue is also illustrated. Gate-ways at endpoints emerge from the diagram, as does the Avenue as a commercial corridor span-ning the two anchor points. Use of vacant parcels to extend the activity of the commercial core into the neighborhoods is seen here at a local scale. Major routes in the Northeast intersecting the avenue are proposed as boulevards, also extending activity of the corridor to the north and south.

122 Urban Vision

future streetcarconnections

existing trailsconnection areas

existing parks

proposed trailsgreen loop trail

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12th St.

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8th St,

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8th St,

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12th St.

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8th St,

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Independence Ave.

Ches

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regional concept

124 Urban Vision

The vision plan consists of four major moves: define Independence Avenue as a core urban element, articulate east and west end nodes to connect to the context, improve connection of Kessler Park to the Northeast and establish a green infrastructural loop, and improve internal connectivity within the Northeast.

Green Loop ConCept

Findings of investigative mapping and interaction with stakeholders, residents

and city leaders identified four elements of need and opportunity in the Northeast.

Issues of regional connectivity, improved public space, accessible healthy food,

and sustainable water management are the foremost elements of the urban

design approach. Re-establishing connection of Independence Avenue to

downtown increases the prominence of the Avenue and presence of its residents

in the sense of the Kansas City metro area. Improving public space reclaims

auto-dominated boulevards for pedestrian walkability and crime-ridden parks

for positive exchange. Making healthy food geographically and economically

accessible improves physical wellbeing of residents and satisfies basic human

needs and societal rights. Developing sustainable water management reduces the

burden of storm water on the sewer system and begins to restore the watershed.

generative ideas

127

TRANSIT NETWORK

0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

PUBLIC GREEN

0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

Transportation networks connect residents in outlying neighbor-hoods to jobs in the urban core, students to education institutions, and local businesses to patrons. Fixed transportation such as the streetcar system along Indepen-dence Avenue, 12th St. and Main St. and the commuter rail line in the Rock Island Corridor anchor com-mercial development and establish high density residential nodes. Public transit is an invaluable as-set to urban community design, particularly in a neighborhood with a fabric historically constructed around dense and diverse transit modes, such as the Northeast.

Park spaces integrated with eco-logical infrastructure generates a network of public space. At the east side of the Northeast is the Blue River Greenway, an ongoing project to reclaim the industrial land of the Blue River floodplain as pedestrian recreation park space. This is conceived as much more than park space, remediating the floodplain, restoring a natural land-scape and the watershed overall. The green loop can be seen along the KC Terminal Railway and I-70.

Urban connectivity

Public SPace Network

128 Urban Vision

URBAN FARMS

0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

HYDROLOGY

0 1 2 3 40.5Miles

One of the primary concerns ex-pressed by community members is the need for healthy produce at a fair price. Grocery options in the Northeast are limited to packaged, processed products and produce available is of lesser quality than that found in suburbs for lesser cost. The chronic lack of good quality produce necessitates re-thinking the use of available urban land for the possibility of urbaniza-tion through land cultivation.

Kansas Citys inadequate com-bined sewer system and the re-sulting excess amount of overflow command the need to consider sustainable water management infrastructure as an integral part of our urban future. In the porous, low density fabric of the Northeast, much of the load placed on the sewer system could be alleviated by methods of retention and filtra-tion in vacant or unbuilt lots.

LocaL Food access

Water ManageMent

130 Urban Vision

COMM

WEST GATEWAY

132 Urban Vision

The overall comprehensive vision plan is produced by overlaying generative ideas with critical elements of the regional concept.

COMM

PRODUCTIVE INFILL

EAST GATEWAY

OMMERCIAL CORRIDOR

generative ideas

Four areas for focused design study emerge where generative ideas overlap and intersect with regional concept elements.

Comprehensive vision plan

The Focus Areas identified in the Comprehensive Vision Plan look at concurrent elements of the Generative Ideas at critical points along Independence Avenue. Each focus area applies the elements in different combinations to develop unique urban models which prioritize and address the dimensions of urban design based on local variable of need and possibility. Smaller architectural scale proposals within the Focus Areas further explore the experiential and spatial influence of the generative ideas.

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NORTH SPACE

NORTH FACADES

SOUTH FACADES

SOUTH SPACE



edible Streetscape

lykins walkthrough

junior high school

chestnut avenue

mixed use complex

east gateway265

productive infill227

cleveland avenue

paseo plaza

west gateway139

157

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209

215

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sheffield plaza

kit of parts

spruce avenue

commercial corridor173

transit hub

focus areas

NORTH SPACE

NORTH FACADES

SOUTH FACADES

SOUTH SPACE



137

west gatewayIn the design of a city, the approach, the thresholds, the gateways, are given

much consideration Where does the city begin? How is the city entered? What

is the first impression? Kansas City has few ideal approaches. From a distance,

to the north, approaching south into the city allows for beautiful views of the

skyline, as does the approach from the east along Independence Avenue, and

the approach from the southwest. However, as you move closer, you encounter

under utilized industrial areas, resulting from the knot of railroads and highways

surrounding the urban core. Associated with this surrounding industry is a lack

of residential density, and consequent reduced business presence. Industrial no-

mans lands tear the urban fabric at its most critical seams. 4

The discussion of gateway and approach arises when analyzing the city

boundaries. Originally, the city found its edge naturally, in topographical

constrictions and transportation limitations. The advent of modern transit and

the application of a grid as the primary morphological order, established the

defined edges of many contemporary cities, Kansas City being no exception.

The ubiquitous grid conquers topography, replacing all trace of the citys origins.

Architectural artifacts become lost among the fabric of the grid. Fortunately,

139

140

Kansas City recognized this fate early on, and in adopting the Kessler Plan,

preserved the the organic relationship between the city and its geography. The

bluff of Kessler Park, the allocation of areas of severe grade as park space, and the

boulevard system linking parks to one another integrated permanent celebration

of Kansas Citys inherited topographical origins into the evolving urban fabric.

Independence Avenue, from Cherry St. on the west to Woodland Ave on the east,

represents a natural end point for the Northeast and as such has a capacity to

become a gateway that integrates two different parts of the city. It is a point

of juncture with Kessler Park, an infrastructurally-compromised industrial waste

landscape, and an interface between the Northeast and downtown. These

characteristics of the West Gateway together make an inherently significant

node. There is an opportunity in the geography to reconnect to the citys origins

by strengthening the interlock of urban fabric and Kessler Park. Additionally,

the West Gateway has the opportunity to establish urban connectivity between

downtown and the Northeast; bridging topographical and infrastructural divide by

views, park spaces, architecture, commerce and public transit. In opposition to

the neutrality of the grid, the West Gateway creates a fixed node, a point which

defines the beginning of Independence Avenue and its distinct urban condition.

The result of the urban and architectural design considerations for the West

Gateway is a model of urbanism by which auto-dominated space lost to

topographical and infrastructural fragmentation is reclaimed as a commercially

active pedestrian center connected by multiple modes of transit to the greater

metro area. Existing conditions of porous urban fabric and auto-dominated

thoroughfares confronted by the West Gateway are recurring in Independence

Avenue and pervasive in the post-industrialized American city, making the West

Gateway a model for design of other similarly challenged spaces.

west gateway

A proposed hotel and convention center complex carries the activity of downtown to the start point of Independence Avenue, stepping down in building scale while maintain-ing a compatibility of architectural language. Design of the complex capitalizes on views to the skyline as well as the Northland to establish visual connectivity. Reclamation of industrial parcels adjacent to the highways as green space extends Kessler Park south along the east edge of Highway 70, reinforcing the regional concept of a green loop surrounding the Northeast. Independence Avenue itself is physically denser and commercially intensified on the south side and opens to a large water retention site to the north. Elevated pedestrian walks improve safety of passage from the mixed use blocks on the south to the convention complex to the north. This overall vision for the West Gateway is further developed in two particular nodes, the mixed-use urban block between Independence Ave and Admiral from Forest Ave to The Paseo, and the Paseo Plaza.

142 Focus Areas

HORIZONTAL SECTION STUDY

Analysis of the transformation of the Northeast exposes the violent interaction between infrastructure and topography which has resulted in the tearing of the urban fabric and fragmentation of the body of the city. A chasm made by the interchange of Highways 35, 70, and 29 separates downtown from Independence Avenue. Similarly, the extension of The Paseo to Highway 29 has an influence on the topography, but to a lesser extent as the existing bluff of Kessler Park wraps south to meet Independence Avenue at this point. Layering horizontal sections allows a deeper understanding of the relationship between infrastructure and topography, and the limitations it imposes on the urban fabric.

west gateway

Isolating the horizontal sections in drawing allows a deeper analysis of the relationship of built environment, infrastructure, and topography. Though the chasm of the 35, 70, 29 interchange bears primarily on the West Gateway, seen primarily in these drawings is the small valley of Chestnut Avenue cutting through Kessler Park, connecting Independence Avenue to the East Bottoms. Both voids in the land are considered in detail in the design of their respective focus areas.

ELEVATION RELATIONSHIPS KCDC 2013

144 Focus Areas

Connections

New Downtown Connection Secondary Developments Tertiary Developments

Regional Connectors Local Connectors Primary Intersection

Connections



Connections



GreenspaceDowntown / Columbus Park Connection New Greenspace Network Bridge to Kessler Park

Existing Greenspace Connection Along Highway Loop New Green Buffer





Viewsheds

Bond Bridge View Potential River ViewDowntown View

Viewsheds


Viewsheds


Traffic flowGreenspaceViewsheds

west gateway

InItIal Urban ConneCtIvIty ConCept

Though highway infrastructure is an obstruction of pedestrians, it is a potential source of great commer-cial activity; though under utilized industrial parcels adjacent to the highways make unwelcoming pas-sage from downtown to the Northeast, they are ideal for expansion of Kessler park into the city; though topography is a physical barrier of development, it allows impressive views to downtown and Northland. The West Gateway enhances these perceived barriers to re-establish urban connectivity between Inde-pendence Avenue and downtown Kansas City. The West Gateway also creates a significant terminus on the western end of Independence Avenue and resolves the intersection with The Paseo by creating a significant urban space and reconnecting it with Kessler Park.

Overall Parti

146 Focus Areas

Traffic changes

ConneCtion Paths/nodes

Developing the initial connectivity concept further, pedestrian routes and nodes are identified, and road-way improvements are proposed to accommodate the pedestrian environment in harmony with other transit modes: streetcar, bus, auto, and bike. To intensify this gateway node and reinforce the union with downtown, a streetcar loop is developed along Independence Avenue, Woodland Avenue, Admiral Boulevad, and Charlotte Street. Green space plays a major role in the development of the West Gateway at a regional scale, as the extension of Kessler Park south establishes the west edge of the green loop.

Pedestrian Space Parti05.16.2013West GatewayKCDC 2012 - 2013

PROPOSEDEXISTINGVehicle Connectivity

05.16.2013West GatewayKCDC 2012 - 2013

west gateway

ExpandEd GrEEn SpacES

MASTERPLAN 1 : 100

INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

THE

PASE

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MASTERPLAN 1 : 100

INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

THE

PASE

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HIGH

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AVE

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MASTERPLAN 1 : 100

INDEPENDENCE AVENUE

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West GateWay MasterPlan

150 Focus Areas

west gateway

The design of the block form and convention complex takes cues from buildings downtown, acknowledging proportion and materiality; adapting the scale to the smaller, slightly removed location. By doing so, the buildings serve as an extension of the topography, filling the void between the slope of the terrain and the regulating viewshed lines. A continuity of the skyline is maintained from a distance and the experience of Independence Avenue at the West Gateway feels at one with downtown. The tower serves as a landmark identifying a distinct beginning of Independence Avenue.

152 Focus Areas

The combinative impacts of topographical, programmatic, typological and architectural considerations are more fully understood in section; the embedding of the block forms in the landscape and associated views to Northland, vertical layering of program in the blocks themselves and the open courtyards in their centers, and the overall scalar relationship between buildings downtown and those of the West Gateway, particularly the proposed hotel. Ultimately, the unification of urbanism and topography inherited from Kessler is celebrated in the section.

west gateway

Section Looking WeSt

Section Looking eaSt

154 Focus Areas

PHASE 1

PHASE 3 INDEPENDENT PHASE

PHASE 2

Reinforce west side of independence Avenue and Admiral Blvd. with mixed use housing development.

Establish student housing for KCUMB campus. REinforce hous-ing with recreation and health facilities. Create retail infill finishing

student village.

Reinforce the intersection of Independence Avenue and Paseo as a gateway to the Northeast and Kansas City. Denote wiht plaza space and commercial spaces to support plaza. Bioremediate

west side of paseo for future development.

Replace previous motels with hotel and convention center on previous housing development. Provide new housing for percent-

age of removed residents.

PHASING

PHASE 1


PHASE 2



student village.





PHASING

PHASE 1


PHASE 2



student village.





PHASING

PHASE 1


PHASE 2



student village.





PHASING

Phase 1: Paseo Plaza Phase 2: hotel and Convention Center

Phase 4: KCUMB stUdent VillagePhase 3: Mixed-Use Blocks

The proposed phasing of the West Gateway looks to stage strategic transformation and catalytic implementation; first resolving the traffic and pedestrian flow at The Paseo and Independence Avenue intersection and then establishing an entry point to the Avenue. Next the main body of the urban fabric will be created with mixed use housing blocks. Finally, the plan will be completed with the development of the KCUMB student living village.

west gateway

WATER RETENTION

EXTENSIVE GREEN ROOFS

BIOSWALES RETENTION POND

RAIN GARDENS

Located in the eaementbetween the street and sidewalk, the bioswales utilize trees and plantings to filter and retain water as it

naturally flows to lowerground.

Located at a natural low point betwen highway 71 and the pro-posed development, the retention pond would be used to tempo-rarily store water until it naturally evaporates or infiltrates teh soil.

THe green roofs not only serves to retain water but additionally serve as exterior public space for residential and commercial

units.

Any water that is not retained by the roofs will flow to guters and into a series of rain gardens. These serve not only as a water

retention feature but additionally as an ammentity to the inhabi-tants of the oomplex.

WATER RETENTION



RAIN GARDENS





units.



WATER RETENTION



RAIN GARDENS





units.



WATER RETENTION



RAIN GARDENS





units.


retention feature but additionally as an ammentity to the inhabi-tants of the oomplex. Green roofs Courtyards

Retention PoolStreetScape

The West Gateway features several urban design elements which reflect an attempt to create an integrated environment where space, form, nature and infrastructure are put in a synergetic relationship with one another.

west gateway:mixed-use complex

156

Comprehensive objectives for Independence Avenue and objectives of institutions

immediately relative to the area were considered in developing a program and form

for the West Gateway complex. To promote commercial activity and pedestrian

walkability, a non-porous street wall with street level retail, shapes the first layer

of the mixed-use complex. To sustain commercial activity and increase residential

density, the upper layers of the complex are comprised of mixed-income multi-

family housing. Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences student

housing and services along with a hotel and convention center shape elements

complementary of the mixed-use complex. Kesslers heritage of marrying

topography and urban fabric suggests a form for the block synchronous with the

land, which informs submerged, concealed parking.

Beyond the programmatic composition of the complex, value lies in the deceptively

complex resolution of urban design variables. The mixed-use complex balances

planning, typology, sun angles, topography, circulation, architectural context,

parking requirements and views in the development of a form satisfactory of

varied considerations. The result is a flexible form, serving many purposes in the

immediate site while on a larger scale bridging building fabric of downtown and the

northeast, connecting to the region by expansive views and uniting topography

and city in the strong-rooted tradition of Kesslers theories.

RESIDENTIAL

HOTEL / UNIVERSITY PARKING

RETAIL / COMMERCIAL

To the east of the development is a series of academic buildings for student housing and services as a continuation of the KCUMB campus and Century Towers building. To the West is a 250 room hotel and convention center with adjacent entertainment facilities.

Split between gararage parking at the base of the residential units and suraface parking to the rear of the commercial and residential

units, the development provides for 873 parking spaces.

Typical units are 1,250 GSF with exterior balconies. Thie allows for 450 total units are the East side of the development.

WIth 60-0 deep volumes, the retail space provides and array of units that meet the typical 4,000 sqft space.

BUILDING PROGRAM

RESIDENTIAL


RETAIL / COMMERCIAL






BUILDING PROGRAM

Parking

Hotel/University

RESIDENTIAL


RETAIL / COMMERCIAL






BUILDING PROGRAM

RESIDENTIAL


RETAIL / COMMERCIAL






BUILDING PROGRAM

RESIDENTIAL


RETAIL / COMMERCIAL






BUILDING PROGRAM

RESIDENTIAL


RETAIL / COMMERCIAL






BUILDING PROGRAM

RESIDENTIAL


RETAIL / COMMERCIAL






BUILDING PROGRAM

CommerCial

ResidentialParking

Hotel/University

157

158 Focus Areas

EXISTING SITE EXTRUDED BLOCK

ELEVATED PLINTH INTERIOR RAIN GARDENS GARAGE PARKING

TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS

The current blocks are long linear blocks in the north to south dirrection. The site slopes from South to North with a elevation difference ranging from 12 to 20 feet across the site.

The extruted block creates frontage along Independence Avenue, Lydia Avenue, and Virginia Avenue. At its rear, the block is four stories tall and five stories tall at its front. This allows for adequate volume for mixed use development.

The block is sliced on the south to allow for sunlight to penetrate all rooms within the develop-ment. Additionally, this creates a semi-public courtyard in the back of the building for occupant use.

The roof is terraced allowing for each floor to have access to a rooftop garden. Each of this terraces have views back to the downtown area.

Using the change in topography the 2nd floor of the development is used as an elevated greens-pace acting as a link between the Independence avenue streetfront and rear courtyard.

The inteior court yards are used to capture and retain stormwater in order to prevent slow of water into the building and ultimately to the KCMO sewer system.

Garage parking is established behind the Independence Avenue streetfront providing space for customers and residents alike.

The buildings porosity and terracing allow for views back to Downtown KCMO and out to the bond bridge.

UNIT PARTI PROGRESSION

SOUTHERN COURTYARDEXISTING SITE EXTRUDED BLOCK


TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS










SOUTHERN COURTYARD



TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS












TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS










SOUTHERN COURTYARD



TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS










SOUTHERN COURTYARD



TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS










SOUTHERN COURTYARD



TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS












TERRACED ROOF

BRIDGE VIEW

CITY VIEW

VIEWS










SOUTHERN COURTYARD

existing site

viewsgarage parking

extruded block

elevated plinth interior rain gardens

southern courtyard terraced roof

mixed-use complex

View from mixed-Use Block Green roof

160 Focus Areas

mixed-use complex

The pedestrian bridge connects the two key elevation points within the West Gateway development: the higher elevated courtyards and the convention complex which lies on the lower ground; while also acting to separate pe-destrian flow from vehicle flow at a point of high traffic. This concept is best seen in the street section of Independence Avenue, which also highlights the layered multi-use program of the block. From the bridge, views connect users with a complete visual experience of the venue, revealing the undulat-ing topography which grounds the design of Commercial Corridor.

162

The diagram shown below explains the pedestrian bridge conceptually, il-lustrating the axial nature of the connection established between the mixed-use block and the proposed convention complex. The elevated space of the bridge becomes a secondary segment of the avenue, allowing for uninter-rupted pedestrian and bike movement from one elevation point to another, from one site to another. Retail spaces line the walkway, green terraces rise above on either side, natural water management is integrated in the planter system, all composing a strong axial relationship with the hotel.

mixed-use complex

View Along PedestriAn Bridge

west gateway:paseo plaza

164

The Paseo is a major element of Kesslers origninal parks and boulevard system.

Its intersection with Independence Avenue will become a critical urban node

through the creation of The Paseo Plaza. While marking the fomal termination

of the Avenue, the plaza will also resolve major traffic flow issues, capitalize on

local and regional transit connectivity, and unify the built environment with natural

topography. The intersection is at the center of the proposed streetcar loop with

access to transit connections, establishing it as a strong node for pedestrian and

vehicular activity. Not only is this node an intersection of primary roadways, it is

also an intersection of topography and urban form, as this is the western most

point at which Kessler Park reaches into the city, meeting Independence Avenue.

An open plaza and seasonally flexible marketplace featuring sculptural interactive

lighting elements, will invite user activation of the space.

On a regional scale, the Highway 71, 35, 29 interchange has caused Independence

Avenue to become fragmented from the downtown. The West Gateway will

transform The Paseo intersection to reconnect these two destinations and create

a meaningful terminus of the avenue. The Paseo is the point at which pedestrians

and vehicles are directed south to Admiral Boulevard for direct access to

downtown, effectively making The Paseo and Independence Avenue intersection

the northeastern most corner of the Greater Downtown Area. Oppositely, to the

north, The Paseo connects vehicles regionally by entrance to Highway 71 with the

Bond Bridge making reciprocal access to Northland and the Northeast possible.

INDEPENDENCE AVE.

ADMIRAL BLVD.

PLAZA SITE PLAN

INDEPENDENCE AVE.

ADMIRAL BLVD.

PLAZA SITE PLAN

INDEPENDENCE AVE.

ADMIRAL BLVD.

PLAZA SITE PLAN

165

166 Focus Areas

To identify potential alterations to roadways that may be needed at the Paseo and Independence Avenue intersection, the Paseo and ad-jacent areas are examined for opportunity embedded in the existing conditions. From extraction of urban fabric and isolation of vehicle routes, pedestrian routes and existing green spaces, an improved con-nectivity network reinforced by green space is made possible.

Potential Green ConneCtionVehicular connectiVity

Existing grEEn spacE

Pedestrian ConneCtionsPotential Site extentS

paseo plaza

Fundamental to the Paseo Plaza node are the proposed street changes for Independence Avenue, Admiral Boulevard, and the Paseo. All result in increased emphasis on the Paseo as an arterial north-south route and Admiral Boulevard as an arterial east-west route. Admiral is proposed to become a two-way street downtown, allowing direct traffic flow from northern downtown to Independence Avenue by way of the Paseo. Independence Avenue is proposed to be terminated at Cherry Street before it hugs the highway interchange, forcing traffic north and south onto Charlotte, promoting revitalization of Columbus Park area due to potential increase in activity in its commercial area. The Paseo is simplified in its highway entrance and exits, reducing congestion at Independence and Paseo.

Independence Avenue/cherry Street AlterAtIonS

AdmirAl BoulevArd AlterAtions

168 Focus Areas

THE INTERSECTION OF PASEO AND INDEPENDENCE

While the road alterations are most simply understood in plan, the result-ing experience of space can be seen in rendered image. Looking south on the Paseo, many elements of the West Gateway can be seen in unison, mixed use block with green roofs, street scape of primary roads, terracing of forms into the landscape, and the feature of this node - the Paseo Plaza and marketplace.

THE INTERSECTION OF PASEO AND INDEPENDENCE

Paseo Plaza looking south

Paseo Plaza looking north

reintegrating: independence avenue urban vision study | part 2

Documents

industrial infrastructure

rail infrastructure

sustainable infrastructure

transportation infrastructure

green space

green loop

major park space

kessler park